Electronically controlled advertising device



May 6, l952 B. E. TEMPLEMAN ETAL 2,595,993

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED ADVERTISING DEVICE Frro APA/f )45.

May 6, 1952 B. E. TEMPLEMAN ETAL 2,595,993

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed Aug. 25, 1947 2 SHEETS-.SHEET z Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED ADVERTISING DEVICE Basil Edgar Templeman and Henry Milton Recker, Quincy, Ill.

Application August 25, 1947, Serial No. 770,524

24 Claims.

The present invention relates to an electronically controlled advertising device.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus that can be used, for example, in a store, and which is automatically operated by a person passing a given point in the store to cause a spoken message to be delivered to the customer. It is an object of the invention to provide a dlavice of this kind that is completely automatic in operation and is set in operation by an act of a person in passing a given point, particularly where the person is not required to do any work to start the operation. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this kind that is operated by the action of light beams on photoelectric cells. A further object of the invention is to provide an advertising device of this kind that will automatically stop once a iull message is delivered. A more specific object of the invention is to provide an advertising device of this kind that will operate through its given cycle regardless of variations in length of the audible message.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control of this kind which may be operated only when the customer travels in one direction, and which is prevented from operation when the customer moves in the opposite direction past the control.

Another object of the invention is to provide an advertising device ofA this kind that is cycled only once for any one given starting stage, that is to say, is operated only once for each given breaking of the light beam on the photoelectric cell. A further object of the invention is to maintain the device inactive for a predetermined period after it has cycled, before it can recycle, regardless of further functioning of the starting means, as by breaking of the light to the photoelectric cell.

A further object of the invention is to provide for illumination of the merchandise to be sold, especially where that illumination can be produced by light that acts upon the control photocells.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a control of this'kind that has an audio responsive apparatus that determines the length of time that a record player is operated, but which nevertheless provides for variation of the volume of the sound reproduced.

Further objects, and particularly objects derived from subcombinations of the mechanism will appear from the description to follow.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic over-all view of the various parts of theelements, showing their general interconnections and Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram of the apparatus.

There is a power supply system that may be conventional, except that voltage regulation is improved by the tube VR, and that the control resistors are on the negative side. It is here shown as including a transformer ID, having a double diode I I supplying current to two lines generally indicated at I2 and I3. These lines are connected through suitable resistors such as the resistor network I4 and resistors I5, I6 and Il, so as to supply points of potential take-off of the necessary values for the control system. There is a ground connection I8. Typically, the power system may have the values shown. Other equivalent sources of power could be used.

The system includes an activator tube 20, a deactivator tube 2|, a rst photoelectric cell 22, a second photoelectric cell 23, all of which are connected to provide response to existence or non-existence of light across a particular path. In addition, there is a double diode tube 26, a control tube 2l, and an audio control rectifieramplier tube 28. There is a record player 29 including an amplier having a loud speaker'30, these last elements delivering an audible message from a motor driven reproducer, such as a wire recorder operated by a motor 3|. A spot light 33 is preferably employed to illuminate a spot to be featured, and to deliver, as by a slotted shield 34, enough light beams to activate the two photoelectric cells 22 and 23.

The two photoelectric cells 22 and 23 are located serially so that they may be successively activated when an object moves along a given path. In particular, these two cells may be actuated by the breaking of light beams as a person moves along this path. Normally, the activating beams to the two cells are close together.

Referring to the diagram of Fig. 2, there is a power line 4D that leads from the power network through a direction switch 4I, and thence by way of a line 42 to the tube 22. The other side of this tube leads, by a line 43, to a second direction switch 44, from which a line 45 leads to a junction 46. As indicated, the junction 46 is connected by a line 41 to a control grid 48 of the tube 20. The junction 46 is also connected through a resistor 50 that is adjustably connected by a slide into a grounded resistor 5I. The junction 46 is also connected by a line 52 to a terminal of a switch 53, the other side of which is grounded. This switch will spring closed, but is normally held open, as will appear.

The resistor 5| is in series with a resistor 54 that is connected by a line 55 that is adjustably divided into the resistor l5.

Thus, when the cell 22 is conducting because light is activating it, and when the switch 53 is open, a relatively large negative bias is applied to the grid 48 that holds the tube 20 non-conducting, this being derived from the potential drop from the ground |8 to the line 40 across the resistors |5 and I6. When the cell 22 is non-conducting, and the switch 53 is open, the bias applied to thegrid 48 is a small negative bias derived across part of the resistor l5 between the ground I8 andthe line 55, which is sufficient to render the tube 20 conducting. When the switch 53 is closed, the grid is grounded, and the tube 20 also conducts.

When the tube 20 conducts, current Vflows through a circuit that may be considered as beginning at the power line l2, passingby way of a line 56 into a relay coil 51. From this coil, a line- 58 extends to the tube 20 in the manner indicated. The cathode of the tube is grounded at 60. Thus, when the tube conducts, the coil 51 is energized and. it draws its switch blade 6| over to the right in the drawing. Wherrthe coil is deenergized, this switch moves to the left.

There is a connection 62 from the power network that leads through a condenser 63 to the switchV 6|. A discharge connection 64, leads around the condenser to the released pole `of the switch 6|. From the other pole of the switch 6|, a line 65 leads into. a time-constant network consisting of a condenser 66 an'd a resistor 61 that are grounded as indicated. The line 65 is also con# nected to the one cathode of the double diode 26. The corresponding plate of the diode is connected by. aline thatis connected to a grid-element 69 in thetube 21,'and is also connected to a timeconstant network including a condenser Yand a resistance system 1| and 12', this network being grounded as indicated. A divider 13 slidablyconnects theline 68 along the resistor 1|.

The-tube 21 .is normally conducting. It has lits cathodegrounded at 14 andits plate connected by a lin'e15through a coil 16. From this coil, a

line 11 leads toa coil k18. The coil 18 is connected- An` audio signal is brought in from the audio amplier when the recorder has begun to deliver audio signals. The recorder may be a `wire recorder-that is operatedV by the motor 3|, although-.the record players, or the like, maybe used, provided-they produce a modulated signal.

This signal is applied to the tube 28- throughn a suitable network, such ask that indicated, which is shown as a '1 X '1 combined rectifier and amplier. The tube 28 amplies the audio signal, recties it and applies it, through a connection 98-to the time-constant network 10, 1|, 12, and to the grid -69-of` th`e tube21. The operation of these various elementswill appear hereafter.

The sequence photoelectric cell 23 is conducting when the light is applied thereto. It will be seen n the resistance group |4, thence through a direction switch |00, from which a line |0| leads to the cell 23. From this cell, a connection |03 leads to a direction switch |04. From the switch |04, a line |05 leads to a junction |06. From this junction, a connection leads tothe grid |01 of the tube 2|. Another connection leads to a resistor |00. that is adjustably connected into a resistor ||0that is grounded. A condenser connects the line |05 with ground. The resistor I I0 is also connected by a line ||2 that connects with the line 55` that is divided into the resistor |5. The junction |06 is also connected bya line ||3 to a condenser ||4 that is connected by a line ||5 to the condenser 63.

The grid bias upon the tube 2|, when the cell 23 is conducting, is slightly positive, as derived from thev drop from the line 99 to the ground I8 across the resistors of the group |4. When the cell 23 is non-conducting, a small negative bias is applied from the ground i8 across part of the resistor |5 to the divider from the line l |2, modied by theother resistances, as indicated. This negativev biasV can maintain the tube 2| non-conducting.

When 'the line ||3 through the condensers 63 and |4is conducting, it produces a larger negative bias that, during the period of conductivity through the condensers, holds the tube 2| nonconducting. This is a momentary action.

Thecircuit to the tube includes the grounded cathode line |20, aline |2| from the plate through a coil |22, a line |23 -to a resistor` |24, and a line |25 leads tothe power line.

The coil |22f-operates a relay switch |29, one side of'which is connected by the line |30 that connects with the line 40; The other side of the switch |29 is adapted to close with aline |3| that leads to a time-constant'network consisting of a condenser |32 and a resistor |33, grounded as indicated. The line |3| alsoleads by a line |34 to asuppressor grid |35 on the tube 20. Another line |36 leads from the line |34 to the other diode section of Athe tube 25. From this, a line |31 leads through a current-reducing resistor |30 that connects into the line 45. A condenser` |30 connects the line 45 Vwith ground.

The various directionswitches 4|, 44, |50 and |04 are operatedtogether as indicated. It will be seen that the direction switch 4| may lead into the line 42 that leads to the tube 22. When it is shifted, it may connect with a line |40 that leads to the line |03, so that theconnection from the line 40 may' lead into-the other photoelectric tube 23. Similarly, the switch 44 may connect with the line |4| that leads to the line |0| from the second tube 23, so that, when the switches 4| and 44 are shifted, theywill connect through the tube 23 instead of through the tube 22.

The switch |04 may close with a line |42 `that leads to the line 42 entering the first tube 22, and the switch |00 may connect with the line .l 43V that connects to the line .43..

Operation Typically, the apparatusvmay be set up in a store, such'as a groceryv store of the self-service type, wherein it is desired to advertise aparticular item automatically to a customer passing along an aisle ofthe store. The two photo tubes 22 and 23 will be disposed serially, preferably so that the tube 22 is in advance ofthe'tube 23.

The light 33 will be turned on so that it casts adequate spaced beams (spaced automatically by slots in cabinet) upon the two tubes. Desirably, it also may spotlight the article to `be advertised. The audio record player will be located at a convenient place.

At the start, the recorder mechanism will be inactive. The motor 3| will be stopped, the amplifier silent, and the light willbe activating the two tubes 22 and 23, rendering them both conductive. There will be a wire or other record on which the given message will occupy a predetermined time, followed by a period of no audio signal before a subsequent message is begun.

With the light on the two cells 22 and 23, they will conduct. The cell 22 thereby establishes a heavilynegative bias on the grid 48 by the connections from the ground I8, ground line 60, grid 48, line 41, junction 46, line 45, switch 44, line 43, cell 22, line 42, switch 4|, and line 4D. This negative potential holds the tube 26 non-conducting.

The cell 23, by conducting, applied a slightly positive bias to the grid |01 of the tube 2|, through the connections from the resistance group I4, the line 99, the switch |06, the line IDI, the cell 23, the line |63, the switch |04, the junction |06, the grid |61, the ground |26, and the ground |8. This renders the tube 2| conducting.

When the tube 2| conducts, current flows through it from the power line I2, through the line |25, the resistor |24, the line |23, the relay coil |22, the line 2|, the ground I 20, and the ground I8. Energizing of the coil |22 holds the switch` |29 open. There will also be a potential applied from the junction |66 through the line II3, the condenser |I4, the line II5, around the condenser 63 by the line 64 and the line 62, charging the condenser I I4 in the direction indicated.

The tube21 is conducting at the start, from the power line I2, the line 56, the line 19, the coil 18, the line 11, the coil 16, the line 15, the tube 21, and the ground 14. With the coil 18 energized, the switch 53 is held open. With the coil 16 energized, the switch 80 is held open. The last holds the recorder motor inactive. No audio signal is produced.

When a person breaks the light to the cells 22 and 23 in that order, they will become successively non-conducting.

When the cell 22 becomes non-conducting, the heavily negative bias upon the grid 48 of the tube 28 is cut off. Thereupon, the bias on this tube consists of that derived across the part of the resistor 5| and derived from the relatively small drop across part of the resistor |5 between the ground I8 and the line 55. This bias permits the tube 28 to conduct, whereupon a circuit is closed from the power line I2, through the line 56, the relay coil 51, the line 58, the tube 20 and the ground 6|). The relay closes the switch 6|.

When the switch 6I is closed, a circuit from the ground I8 charges the time-constant network 66, 61, from the ground I8, the time-constant network, the line 65, the switch 6I, the

condenser '63, the line 62 and the power line I3. l

The condenser 63 conducts for a predetermined time until it becomes charged. Y

Also, a circuit is closed through the second the left side of the diode 26, the line 65, thev switch 6I; and thecondenser 63 to the power line I3. Both time-constant networks are thus charged.

Additionally, as the grid-cathode of the tube 21 is across the second time-constant network, the grid is biased to render the tube 21 non-conducting.

This tube becomes immediately non-conducting, after light break to the cell 22, and it thereupon deenergizes the coils 16 and 1S, and releases the switches and 53, which close.

When the switch 53 closes, the grid 48 of the first tube 20 is grounded, and that tube is held conducting so long as this switch 53 remains closed. By this means, the apparatus is held in operation for one cycle regardless of whether or not the light is again admitted to the cell 22. However, if the person remains in front of the cell 22, holding it non-conducting until the cycle is completed, this will continuously hold the relay switch 6| closed. But it cannot start a new cycle because the condenser 63 will remain charged and will not pass direct current until it is again discharged.

The cycle so far has started the recorder motor and has charged the time-constant networks. The recorder-amplifier begins the record, which should produce an audio signal after a brief interval, such as four seconds. The condenser 63 passes enough current to permit the networks to become charged to maintain a bias on the tube 21 long enough to assure operation for a period longer than the time to produce an audio signal, such as seven seconds.

When the recorder delivers an audio signal, a corresponding modulated potential is drawn oil to the tube 28, and by it rectied and amplified. The rectified and amplified signal is then applied to the second time-constant network 10, 1I, 12 and to the grid 69 to hold the tube 21 non-conducting for the duration of the audio signal, even though the condenser 63 has rendered the initial biasing circuit non-conducting and, hence, cut oi by the diode 26.

By this audio signal bias, the recorder will continue operating until the audio signal stops at the end of the message. As this signal charges the second time-constant network 10, 1| and 12, but cannot charge the rst because of the unidirectional conductivity of the diode 26, the bias on the tube 21 will survive the end of the audio signal only by the time fixed by the second timeconstant network. This latter is shorter than that provided by both networks, so that the tube 21 can become conducting a relatively short interval after the end of the audio signal.

. When the tube 21 again becomes conducting, the relays 16 and 18 are again energized to open the switches 80 and 53, stopping the recorder and restoring the bias on the tube 20 to render it non-conducting, and to break the circuit through the coil 51.

If the audio signal is not produced, such as at the end of a record, no audio bias will be supplied to hold the tube 21 non-conducting. The first time-constant network 66, 61 will be charged, and in discharging will charge the second and apply bias to the tube 21. When the first timeconstant network has decayed, the second will then decay. VBy this means, a bias will be held on the tube 21 for a time greater than the normal requirement to produce an audio signal, and thereafter the apparatus will stop itself.

The sequence circuits through the second pening the cell 23 after the cell 22 will break the light thereto, and break the positive bias therethrough, applied to the grid |31. Thetube2| then becomes non-conducting, and the relay'coil |22v isV the time-constant network |32, |33 of theitube` 20, the line |3|, the switch |29, the line |30, the line-40, and the-resistor This charges the network and the suppressor. grid |35, negative bias will be applied to the main grid'48 to render the tube 23 non-conducting, this circuit extending from the ground 63 of the tube 20, the grid 48, the line 45, the resistor |38, theline |31, the right side of the tube 25, the lineA for a period of time, such as seven seconds, de-

termined by the network |32, |33. Likewise, the main grid 48 will be held adequately negative by the circuit from the line |36, even though the cell 22 is thereafter shaded and the negative bias derived from its circuit is removed. By this means, the shading of the cells 22 and 23 in reverse order cannot operate the recorder, and,

indeed, renders the normal cycling inoperative` for a definite period.

Any attempt to crowd the apparatus by rapidly making and breaking the light to the cells will not produce short-cycling of the recorder. If the cell 22 is shaded for even an instant, one cycle will be started and held until completed. At the instant the switch 6| releases, the condenser ||4 can take a momentary charge to render the tube 2| non-conducting, as a result of which the time-constant network |32, |33 puts bias on the grid |35, and the grid 48. is charged negatively, to hold thetube 23 non-conductive for a predetermined interval. This avoids trouble as when a hand `is Vwaved back and forth across the light.

If the person stands in front of the cell 22, one cycle will result, as before, after which no repeat cycle can occur, because of the condenser 63. If the person stands in front of the cell 22 j at the end of the cycle, then leaves and im'- mediately returns, a new cycle can be started only after the delay produced by charging "the condenser H4, as aforesaid. Any shading'during a cycle, other than those described, has no effect.

If light fails, the system is inoperative, because the cells 22 and 23 are then non-conducting.

The direction switch, which is shown as being four-pole, double-throw andr incorporating the switch elements 4|, 44, |03 and |04, can be thrown to the position shown to provide the sequence shown. When it is thrown to its other position, thetube23 is substituted for the tube 22, and vice versa. When this is done, the direction in which a person must travl to operate the apparatus is reversed, as is fairly evident without tracing the circuits.

The operation is independent of the length of Also, a`

the message, .sincezthe audio signal controls the' durationzof operation.

The' apparatus can be used with any kind off record player, but wireA recording has advantages. An endless wire may be used ina wire recorder to eliminate periodical rewinding. The amplifier may be. conventional, but the audio take-off should'be ahead of the volume controlfto afford.

volume-adjustment to suit the installationwithout affecting operationr of the control unit.

The power supply system is generally conventional, except that a Yvoltage regulator tube has beenadded, as indicated, andthe control resistors are in the negative'line.

In addition .to the combination'above,rcompris ing a light operated advertising'apparatus, there are subcombinations capable of other uses. For example, the motorholding. circuit arrangement couldbe used as a record player cutoff means that` eliminates trip grooveson the records, it responding to cessation of audio signals from the record. It is independent of the physical condition of the records.

Another'of the valuable subcombinations is the sequence hookup that provides fori an operation only in vone order andprevents it in the reverse order. Additional subcombinations are apparent from the description.

What is claimed is: Y

l. A control for sound reproduction, including an electrically operable sound reproducing means, control mechanism to cause the vsound reproducing means to operate, the said mechanism having starting means operable to actuate the control mechanism to start operation of the.

sound reproducing means, the starting means including an instantaneously operatable device, means responsive to instantaneous operation of that device to-produce a starting potential of longer` but limited duration to start the sound reproducing means and maintain the same in operation only for the duration of said potential, and means dependent upon productionV of an audio signal by the sound reproducing means tor Y produce a potential to maintain the control nism having starting means positioned to bez operated by an object traveling along the path ,fin onedirection to actuate the control mecha-l nism to start operation of the sound reproducing means, means producing an electrical control potential from an audiol signal derivedfrom the reproducing means, and means applying said control potential to the electrical control means tomaintain the control-means and the reproducing means in operation for theduration ofthe audio signal, and means to prevent operation ofv the reproducing means when the'.

objecttravels along the path in the opposite direction.

3. An advertising device foruse on traveled' paths, including a sound reproducing means adapted to operate and normally to produce .sound when operating, control mechanism'to cause'the sound reproducing means tooperate,

the control mechanismhaving starting means positioned to be operated by an object traveling" along the path and being connectedv to actuate.; the control mechanism to start operation .of the,

9 sound reproducing means, and means automatically to stop operation of the sound reproducing means if no sound is produced thereby Within a predetermined time after the sound reproducing means is started. i

4. In an advertising device: a sound reproducing means, a control mechanism comprising starting means positioned to be operated 'by an object traveling along a path, being connected to start operation of the sound reproducing means, and the control mechanism also comprising time-responsive means energized by the starting means when the starting means starts, to maintain the sound reproducing means in operation for a predetermined time after its start, and thereafter becoming incapable of maintaining the same in operation.

5. An advertising device for use on traveled paths, including a sound reproducing means adapted to operate and normally to produce sound when operating, control mechanism to cause the sound reproducing means to operate, the control mechanism having starting means positioned to be operated by an object traveling along the path and being connected to actuate the control mechanism to start the operation of the sound reproducing means, including time responsive means energized When the starting means starts to maintain the reproducing means in operation for a predetermined time after its start, and thereafter becoming incapable of maintaining the same in operation, and means responsive to production of an audio signal by the reproducing means, to maintain the last means in operation after said predetermined time.

6. An advertising device for use on traveled paths, including a sound reproducing means adapted to operate and normally to produce sound when operating, control mechanism to cause the sound reproducing means to operate, the control mechanism having starting means positioned to be operated by an object traveling along the path and being connected to actuate the control mechanism to start operation of the sound reproducing means, including time responsive means energized when the starting means starts to maintain the reproducing means in operation for a predetermined time after its start,

and thereafter becoming incapable of main-` taining the same in operation, means responsive to production of an audio signal by the reproducing means, to maintain the last means in operation after said predetermined time, and

said last-named including means to rendern` i,

the reproducing means inoperative for a predetermined period after the end of the audio signal, said period being less than the aforementioned predetermined time.

7. An advertising devicefor use on traveled paths, including a sound reproducing means adapted to operate and normally to produce sound when operating, control mechanism to cause the sound reproducing means to operate,

the control mechanism having starting means positioned to be operated by an object traveling along the path and being connected to actuate the control mechanism to start operation of the sound reproducing means, means dependent upon production of an audio signal by the sound reproducing means to maintain the control mechanism and the reproducing means in operation for the duration of the audio signal to yproduce a` given audible message, and means' toprevent production of more than one audible 10 message for each operation of the starting means.

8. An advertising device for use on traveled paths, including a sound reproducing means adapted to operate and to produce sound When operated, control mechanism to cause the sound reproducing means to operate, the control mechanism having starting means positioned to be operated by an object traveling along the path and being connected to actuate the control mechanism to start operation of the sound reproducing means, means dependent upon production of an audio signal by the sound reproducing means to maintain the control mechanism and the reproducing means in operation for the duration of the audio signal, the sound reproducing means including a motor and a record playing device operated by the motor, to produce the audio signal for an audible message, and time-controlled means to prevent operation of the motor for a predetermined period after the audible message is ended.

9. In an apparatus for producing a sensible message, a message reproducing means producing an electrical signal and converting the same into the message, control means to cause op-eration of the reproducing means, starting means for the control means, including a light-sensitive device subject to operation by an object passing a given point, the starting means including time-controlled means, and producing an electrical potential for a rst time period to operate the control means, the control means becoming inoperative at the end of said period, and means responsive to operation of the message reproducing means to produce its electrical signal, to hold the control means and reproducing means in operation for the duration of said signal.

10. In an apparatus for producing a sensible message, a message reproducing 'means producing an electrical signal and converting the same into the message, control means to cause operation of the reproducing means, starting means for the control means, including a light-sensitive device subject to operation by an object passing a given point, the starting means producing an electrical potential for a rst time period to operate the control means, the control means becoming inoperative at the end of said period, means responsive to operation of the message reproducing means to produce its electrical signal, to hold the control means and reproducing means in operation for the duration of said signal, and means to prevent producing more than one operation of the reproducing means for each operation of the light-sensitive device.

11. In an apparatus for producing a sensible message, a message reproducing means producing an electrical signal and converting the same into the message, control means to cause operation of the reproducing means, starting means for the control means, including a light-sensitive device subject to operation by an object passing a given point, the starting means producing an electrical potential for a rst time period to operate the control means, the control means becoming inoperative at the end of said period, means responsive to operation of the message reproducing means to produce its electrical signal, to hold the control means and reproducing means in operation for the duration of said signal, and means to prevent rapid reoperations of the reproducing means by quickly reoperating the light-sensitive device at the end of an operation `of the reproducing means. f

12. In an apparatus for producing a'sensible message, a message reproducing means producing an electrical signal and converting the same intoY the message, control means to cause `operationof the reproducing means, starting means for the controlmeans, including a light-sensitive device subject to operation by an object passing a given point, the starting means producing an electrical potential for a iirst time period to operate the control means, the control means becoming inoperative at the end of said period, means responsive to operation of themessage reproducing means to produce its electrical signal, to hold the control means and reproducing means in .operation for the duration of said signal, the starting means including two time-constant network means, mechanism to produce the electrical potential Vfor the said period from time-constant means, and means applying said message derived signal to time-constant network means to hold the reproducing means in operation for a diirerent time interval after the end of the signal.

-13..In an advertising device for producing a .sensible message, a message reproducing device for producing an electrical signal and converting it intoa sensible message, control means comprising `anelectronic valve, having a control grid, for .controlling operation of the reproducing device, a iirst time-constant network, va unidirectional conductor, startingmeans producingv a starting potential and applyingl it to the network and the conductor, a second time-constant network connected onV the output side of the conductor and with the control grid, means to cause the reproducing device to start when said starting potentialqis so applied, means to produce a holding l potential derived from the reproducing device when it producesan electrical signal, said means being. connected to apply said holding-potential tothe control grid of the valve and to the second time-'constant network, to cause the reproducing device to remain in operation after cessation;of.the starting potential and for a period after cessation of the electrical signal.

`14. In a control mechanism, an electrical'ldevice ythat is operating produces a holding potential;

means to produce a starting potential, a nrst time-constant network, a unidirectional electroniciconductor, connections applying the start- Y ing potential to the rst network and to one side of the electronic conductor to produce a starting potential on the-output side of the electronic conductor, having a time-duration characteristic, a

control .valve having a grid, the control valve operating in response to potential on the grid means controlled by said valve to effect operation of. the electrical device, a second time-constant network, connections between the output side of the electronic. conductor to apply the starting potential to the grid and the second network, the

controlv valve being renderedy operative by suchv `second time network, whereby the valve may eiect continuance of the operation of the device for the duration of the holding potential and for a period thereafter.

15. In a control mechanism, an electrical device that in operating produces a holding potential;

means to produce a starting-:potential, anrst.

time-,constant network, a unidirectional ,electronic conductor, connections applying the starting potential to thelrst network and to one side of the electronic conductor to produce a starting potential on the output side of the electronic conductor, having a time-duration characteristic, a control valve having a grid, means controlled by said valve to eiiect operation of the electrical device, a second time-constant network, connections between the output side of the electronic conductor to apply the starting potential to the grid and the second network, whereby upon charging of the rst network, the valve may eiect operation of the electrical device for at least a predetermined starting time, means deriving a unidirectional holding potential from the electrical device during its operation, connections applying the holding potential to the gridl and the second time network, whereby the valve may effect continuance of the operation of the device for the duration of the holding potential and for a period thereafter, the means to produce the starting potential comprising a quickly operated and de-operated instituting means, and means operated by the output side of the electronic valve to hold the starting potential producing means in operation after the instituting means is de-operated.

16. In a control apparatus for producing and stopping a control potential for effecting operation of an electrically operable device, a first controlled activator including an electronic valve having a grid, object-controlled means including means regulating potentialon said grid, causing said valve to have a conducting condition and a non-conducting condition, means operated from the output side of said tube to produce the control potential when the tube is in one condition,

a second object-controlled means to produce a blocking potential, a time-constant network, connectionsV from said second `object-controlled means to apply said blocking potential to said time-constant network and to the grid to prevent the tube from having potential producing condition for a period of time, upon operation of the second object-controlled means and means to render the second object-controlled means ineiective upon the tube, said last-named means being connected with and operated from the output side of the tube when the first object-controlled means is operated before the second object-controlled means is operated, whereby when the first object-controlled means is operated iirst, the control potential may be produced and maintained regardless of subsequent operation of the second object-controlled means.

17. In a control apparatus for producing and stopping a control potential for electing operation of an electrically operable device, a first controlled activator including an electronic valve having a grid, object-controlled means causing said valve to have a conducting condition and a non-conducting condition, means operated from the output side of said tube to produce the control potential when the tube is in one condition. a second object-controlled means tc produce a blocking potential, a time-constant network, connections from said second object-controlled means to apply said blocking potential to said time-constant network and to the grid to prevent the tube from having potential producing condition for a period of time, upon operation of the second object-controlled means, and means to :efective upon the tube, said' last-named means being connected with and operated from the output side of the tube when the first object-controlled means is operated before the second object-controlled means is operated, whereby when the rst object-controlled means is operated first, the control potential may be produced and maintained regardless of subsequent operation of the second object-controlled means, said object-controlled means being arranged sequentially to be successively operated by objects moving along a given path, whereby the potential may be produced only when the objects move in one direction, and switch means to reverse connections of the object-controlled means to reverse said direction.

18. In an electronic control apparatus, a tube having grid means, the tube being in conducting or non-conducting condition in accordance with the condition of the grid means, an output circuit means connected with said tube and being operative when the tube is in one of said conditions and inoperative when it is in the other condition, means quickly actuated and deactuated to change the bias on the grid means to cause the tube to make its output circuit operative, relay means in the output circuit means, additional circuit means interconnected with the output circuit means by the relay means, and energized when the output circuit is operative, an additional tube having grid means biased from said additional circuit means, a second output circuit, for the additional tube, holding means connected in the second output circuit, and rendered effective when said additional tube is thus biased, to hold the bias on the grid means of the first tube after the quick actuated means is deactuated, and time delay means connected with grid means of the additional tube to change the bias on the additional tube after predetermined time has elapsed, and render its output circuit incapable of maintaining the holding means effective to bias the grid means of the first tube as aforesaid, and additional means adapted to be rendered operative by the second output circuit to hold the bias on the additional tube beyond said predetermined time.

19. In an electronic control apparatus, a tube having grid means, the tube being in conducting or non-conducting condition inaccordance with the condition of the grid means, an output circuit means connected with said tube and being operative when the tube is in one of said conditions and inoperative when it is in the other condition, means quicklyl actuated and dcactuated to change the bias on the grid means to cause the tube to make its output circuit operative, relay means in the output circuit means, additional circuit means interconnected with the output circuit means by the relay means, and energized when the output circuit is operative, an additional tube having grid means biased from said additional circuit means, a second output circuit, for the additional tube, holding means connected in the second output circuit, and rendered effective when saidadditional tube is thus biased, to hold the bias on the grid means of the first tube after the quickly actuated means is deactuated, and time delay means connected with grid means of the additional tube to change the bias on the additional tube after predetermined time has elapsed, and render its output circuit incapable of maintaining the hold- `ing means effective to bias theY grid means of the first tube as aforesaid, supplemental bias producing means for the second tube, means in the second output circuit to energize the supplemental bias producing means, said supplemental bias producing means being adapted, when energized, to hold the additional tube biased after said time period has elapsed.

20. In an electronic control apparatus, a tube having grid means, the tube being in conducting or non-conducting condition in accordance with the condition of the grid means, an output circuit means connected with said tube and being operative when the tube is in one of saidgconditions and inoperative when it is in the other condition, means quickly actuated and dcactuated to change the bias on the grid means to cause the tube to make its output circuit operative, relay means in the output circuit means, additional circuit means interconnected with the output circuit means by the relay means, and energized when the output circuit is operative, an additional tube having grid means biased from said additional circuit means, a second output circuit, for the additional tube, holding means connected in the second output circuit, :and rendered effective when said additional tube is thus biased, to hold the bias on the grid means of the first tube after the quickly actuated means is deactuated, and time delay means connected with grid means of the additional tube to change the bias on the additional tube after predetermined time has elapsed, and render its output circuit incapable of maintaining the holding means effective to bias the grid means of the first tube as aforesaid, supplemental bias producing means for the second tub, means in the second output circuit to energize the supplemental bias producing means, said supplemental bias` producing means being adapted, when energized, to hold the additional tube biased after said time period has elapsed, the time delay means being divided, and having a unidirectionalconducting means between its parts, whereby the additional circuit means may charge both parts, and the supplemental bias producing means may charge only one part, thesum of the parts having a different time interval from that of the said one of the parts.

2l. In an electronic control apparatus, a tube having grid means, the tube being in conducting or non-conducting condition in accordance with the condition of the grid means, an output circuit means connected with said tube and being operative when the tube is in one of said conditions and inoperative when it is in the other condition, means quickly actuated and dcactuated to change the bias on the grid means to cause the tube to make its output circuit operative, relay means in the output circuit means, additional circuit means interconnected with the output circuit means by the relay means, and energized when the output circuit is operative, an additionaltube having grid means biased from said additional circuit means, a second output circuit, for the additional tube, holding means connected in the second output circuit, and rendered effective when said additional tube is thus biased, to hold the bias on the grid means of the first tube after the quickly actuated means is deactuated, and time delay means connected with grid means of the additional tube to change the bias on the additional tube after predetermined time has elapsed, and render its output circuit incapable of maintaining the holding means effective to bias the grid means of the first tube as aforesaid, a sequentially actuatable means adapted to be operated sequentially after the, quickly ,actuatedgmeans. suppressing means operated when" the sequentially,actuatable means .is operatedflrst, to-'produce abias on therst -tube to maintainv its voutput circuit inoperative regardless of subsequent operation of the quickly actuatablemeans, and means to prevent said -the condition of the grid means output circuit Y means connected with said'tube and being operative'when the tube is in oneof said conditions and inoperative when it is in the other condition, meansquickly actuatedfancl deactuated to change the bias onthe gridmeans to cause the tube to makeits Output circuit operative, yrelay means in Ythe output circuit means, additional circuit means :interconnected with the output circuit means by `the ,relay means, and energized when the output circuit is operative, an additional tube having grid means biased from'said additional circuit means, 'a second output circuit, for the additional Y tube-holding means connected in the second outputcircuit, ,and rendered effective when said ad- :ditional tube is thus biased, to hold the bias on v:the grid means of the first tube after the quickly actuated means is deactuated, vand time delay Vmeans connected with grid means of the additional tube to change the bias on the additional tube after predetermined'time has elapsed, and

render its output circuit incapableof maintaining the holding means effective to bias the grid `means of the iirsttube as aforesaid, a sequentially vactuatable means adapted tobe operated sequentially after the quickly actuated means, suppressing means operated when the sequentially actuatkable means is operated iirst, to produce a bias on the rst tube tomaintain its output circuit inoperative regardless of subsequent operation of `thequickly actuatable means, and means to prevent said suppressing means from being effective ing a biasing circuit for the first tube, and time delay means in said circuit to maintain the bias and hold the output circuit inoperative for a period afterthe'sequentially actuatable means is operated. -f

23. In an electronic control apparatus, :a tube vhaving grid means, the tube being in conducting orv non-conducting condition in accordance With the condition of the grid means, an output circuit means connected with said tube and being operative when the tube is in one of said conditions `and inoperative when it is in the other condition,

means quickly actuated and deactuated to change the bias on the grid means to cause the tube to having `grid means biased from said additional:`

circuit means, a second output circuit, for the additional tube, holding means connected in the second output circuit, and rendered elective when said additional'tube is thus biased, to hold the bias on the grid means of the rst tube after the T' quickly actuated means is deactuated, and time delay means connected with grid means of the vadditional tube to change the bias on the addi-I 'taining the holding Ameans eiective to biasthe tional tube after predeterminedtime has elapsed, and render its output circuit incapable of maingrid means of the first tube as aforesaid, a sequentially actuatable means adapted to be operated sequentially after the quickly actuated means, suppressing means operated when the sequentially actuatable means is operated first, to produce a bias on the first tube to maintain its output circuit inoperative regardless of subsequent operation of the quickly actuatable means, land means to prevent said suppressing means from being effective Whenthe quickly actuatable, means is operated nrst, the sequentially actuatable means including a biasing circuit ,for 'thefirst tube, and time delay means in said circuit to Vmaintain the bias and hold the `output circuit inoperative for a period after the sequentially actuatable means is operated, and means foi-preventing the quickly actuatable means from'charging the last named time delay means.v

24. In an electronic control apparatus, a tube having grid means, the tube being in conducting or non-conducting condition in accordancewith the condition of the grid means, an output circuit means connected with saidtube and being operative When the tube is in one of said conditions and inoperative when it is in the other condition, means quickly actuated and deactuated to change theV bias on the grid means to cause the tube to make its output circuit operative, relay means in the output circuit means, additional circuit means interconnected withthe output circuit means by the relay means, and energized when the output circuit is operative, an additional tube having grid means biased from said additional circuit Vwhen the quickly actuatable meansis operated first, the sequentially actuatable means includmeans, a second output circuit, for the additional tube, holding means connected in the second output circuit, and rendered effective When said additional tube is thusbiased, to hold the bias on the grid means of the Yrst tube after the quickly actuated means is dea-ctuated, and time delay means connected with grid means of the additional tube to change the bias on the additional tube after predetermined time has elapsed, and render its output circuit incapable of maintaining the holding means effective to bias'the grid means ofthe first tube as aforesaid, and means operated when the output circuit is rendered inoperative,

`to maintain it inoperative for a predetermined period of time regardless of reoperaton of the quickly actuatable means. Y

BASIL EDGAR TEMPLEMAN. HENRY MILTON REFERENCES CITED The following `references are of record in the `iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 27,092,352 Owens May 21, 1935 2,099,868 Sing Nov. 23, 1937 2,116,314 Jenkins May 3, 1938 2,136,209 Finch Nov. 8, 1938 '2,152,296 Weis Mar. 28, 1939 2,252,327 Lovett et al Aug. 12, 1941 2,344,541 Ferris Mar. 21, 1944 2,413,076 Schick De-c. 24, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS VNumber Country Date 441,479 Great VBritain Jan. 13, 1936 

